Musical instrument



y 1949" E. R. WORKMAN MUSICAL INSTRUMENT 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 28, 1943 @wf/fxfdf fa /r y 5 19 9 E. R. WORKMAN 2,475,168

MUS ICAL INSTRUMENT Filed Jan. 28, 1943 5 Sheets' Sheet 2 Patented July 5, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Ernest Robert Workman, Chicago, 111.

Application January 28, 1943, Serial No. 474,051

14 Claims.

The present invention relates to switch devices for controlling electric circuits for playin selections on suitably equipped. musical instruments in which it is necessary to close and open various combinations of circuits in rapid succession and in timed relation. Said switch devices are also adapted to produce sounds which are confined to a predetermined musical key and to vary the strength of the current in the closed circuits for shadin the volume of the tones produced.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a switch which can be operated by the hands in conjunction with the organs of the respiratory tract in a manner similar to that involved in executing musical selections on the well-known harmonica.

Another object of the invention is to provide a switch device having mechanism whereby closed circuits may be interrupted in rapid succession to produce quavering or vibrato effects in the sound.

A further object of this invention is to provide a switch device with auxiliary control means whereby the sounds produced can be confined to those of a predetermined musical key, but to render this control adjustable for quickly changing from tones of one musical key to those of another musical key.

It is also an object of the invention to attain all of the foregoing results by such arrangement as will eliminate discordant tones when a selection is being rendered by an instrument controlled in accordance with the invention.

Now, in order to acquaint those skilled in the art with the manner of constructing and operating the invention, 1 shall describe a specific embodiment designed for use in playing electric sounders:

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a switch device for controlling a plurality of circuits in numerous combinations and in momentary succession;

Figure 2 is a front elevational View of the switch device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a typical cross-sectional view of the said switch, taken as indicated at line 3-3 on Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a sectional view of the switch, taken at line 4-4 on Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a sectional view at the line 55 on Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a sectional view at the line 6-6 on Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a plan bottom view of a plug se- 2 cured to one end of a flexible tube which forms a cover for wires providing electrical connections between the switch shown in Figure 1, and an auxiliary control mechanism;

Figure 8 is a top plan view of the plug shown in Figure '7;

Figure 9 is a combination top plan view of an auxiliary control mechanism and a wiring diagram for the switch device shown in Figure 1, with connections to said auxiliary control;

Figure 10 is a sectional view of the auxiliary control at the line III-I0 on Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a diagrammatic representation of a sound producing mechanism adapted for use with the switch device shown in Figure 1, and its auxiliary control;

Figure 12 is a view of a sector of the drum employed in the auxiliary control and adapted to confine the tones to a different musical key than that for which the control is adjusted, as shown in Figure 9;

Figure 13 is a view of a sector of the drum adapted to confiine musical tones to a key different from those secured by active use of the sectors shown in either Figure 9 or Figure 12;

Figure 14 is a diagrammatic representation similar to Figure 11, but illustrating another sound producing mechanism; and

Figure 15 is a sectional view taken similarly to Figure 3, but showing a modified form of switch contact.

Figure 16 is a view illustrating the manner of playing the device.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and that the same is not limited to the particular form herein shown and described, except in so far as indicated by the appended claims.

Referring now to the several figures of the drawings in detail, I have illustrated the switch as adapted for execution of musical selections on electric sounders by operation of the device in a manner similar to that involved in playing the well-known harmonica.

In the several figures, I I is a switch body composed of insulating material, with five transverse openings I2, I3, I4, I5, and I6, in its front wall, as shown by Figure 2, and three lengthwise openings, I'I, I8 and I9, extending through it, as shown by Figure 4. Embedded in this body II is ametallic bar 20, which carries five projections,

El, 22, 23, 24 and 25, which substantially fit the respective transverse openings, but with just enough clearance so that their free ends may be sprung up or down, with slight efiort, so as to form electric contacts or temporary junctions with ten metallic brushes or terminals, 21 to 36. These terminals are also embedded in the body ii, and the free ends of the said projections are normally positioned midway between the bent ends of the terminals or brushes, as shown in Figure 3, so that the projections ofier obstruction to air passing either Way between the opening or passage I1, and the respective openings in which the projections are positioned. A sixth projection, 26, from the bar 20, extends across both openings I! and I8, at one side of each, and reaches into opening I9, as shown in Figure 3, where it forms, through another brush 40, an electric junction between one end of a resistance element 39 and the bar 20.

Slidably mounted in. opening. 19 is a block 33 of insulating material, in which is embedded the resistance element 39', and to which is attached the brush 4! and a spring. 4I serves to hold the blocl: so that its reduced endnormally projects from the frame, as shown in Figure 1,. while a bolt 42, threaded into theblock, limits its outward movement. A second brush 37., is also embedded in the body H, and forms an electric junction with the resistance element 39', as shown in Figure 5.

The arrangement of the brushes and resistance element 39, which they contact, are such that when the block is pressed into its opening against the spring, more resistance is introduced into a circuit passing through them, and this reduces the current in the circuit; furthermore, their arrangement is such that when the block is pressed farther in, the brush 4!) will pass beyond the projection 26, and completely interrupt the circuit. The spring will quickly return the block to its normal position when the pressure is released, so that successive repetitions of interruptions or variations in the strength of the current can be produced by operation of the block 38.

A flexible tube 43 provides a conduit for eleven insulated wires which form electric connections between eleven contacts 45 to 55, which are embedded, five in one face and six in the opposite face of a hollow plug 44 mounted at the end of 1) the tube. These wires are connected respectively to ten brushes 59 to 68, and one terminal of a supply source II4; said brushes and terminal are mounted on the auxiliary control frames 58 and their connecting wires are shown diagrammatically in Figure 9. The contacts of this plug are arranged so that they form electric junctions with the ten brushes or terminals 27 to 36 and the brush 31, which extend into the opening I8 of the switch when the plug is inserted into this opening with its flange 56 engaging the outer face of the body II, as shown in Figure 1. Upon comparison of Figures 7 and 8 with Figures 4 and 6, it will be evident that when the plug 44 is inserted in the opening I8 of the switch body H, the brushes or contact elements 46, 4B, 50, and 54 will engage respectively the contacts 538, 3! 32, 34, and 36 which appear in Figure 4. On the underside of the plug 44 which is illustrated in Figure 7, the contacts 45, 47, 49, E3 and 55 will engage respectively the terminals 31, 21, 29, 3|, 33 and 35, the last five of which may be identified in Figure 6.

The frame 58 of the auxiliary control is composed of insulating material, and adrum I09 is journaled in the frame by a shaft IIil, which is rigid with the drum but slidable and rotatable within the frame so that the drum and its mountings can be rotated or moved endwise by turning or pressing a control knob III. Embedded in this drum are three sets of segments, one segment of each set being shown. in Figure 10 as I08, IBiiG and I 88D extending through sectors of about degrees each. One set of these segments 99 to I08 is visible when the drum is turned to the position shown in Figure 9; in this position the segments form electrical junctions between the brushes 59 to 68, and certain of the brushes 69 to 98, but if the drum were moved cndwise, then these segments would form electrical junctions between double the number of brushes 69 to 98 Mounted on this frame 58 of the auxiliary control are two sets of electric sounders I26, arranged to produce the musical tones indicated by their respective letters, and one set of these sounders will produce tones one musical octave above the other set. Each of these sounders has one of its terminals connected to a common wire PM, to provide electrical connection with the terminal I I3 of the electric current supply source, and the opposite terminal of each of these sounders is connected to its respective brush, thus completing the circuit so that the current will pass between the terminal H3 oi. the current supply source to its other terminal i I4 when the plug 44 is inserted into its opening in the switch device, and one or more of the projections 2| to 25 moved to make electrical contact with some of the brushes 21' to 3G.

Attached by screws 51- to this auxiliary control frame 58 is an index plate having a slot or window, with the letter C showing through the slot therein in Figure 9; This letter is mounted on the drum I09 and rotates with it. The display of the letter C at the slot indicates that all of the sounds that can be produced when the drum is in this position are limited to tones composing the musical scale of C. If the drum were moved endwise, so as to sound both sets of sounders simultaneously, the letter C would still show through the slot in the. indicator, and all of the sounds which could be produced with the drum in this position would still be in the musical key of C, but the tones produced by one set of sounders would be a musical octave above those produced by the sounders in the other set, and this would provide full concert tones.

By mounting on another sector of the drum segments, 39G to IB'BG shaped as shown in Figure 12, and turning the drum through 120 degrees, the tone of F-sharp would be played instead of F. The tones which could be sounded with the drum turned to this position would be those comprising the key of G, and this letter G would appear through the slot in the index plate instead of the letter 0. Likewise, by utilizing segments 99D to l'OBD on another sector of the drum of the shape shown in Figure the tone C would be changed to C-sharp, and the tones would be limited to those which comprise the musical lrey of D; and this letter D will appear through the slot in the index plate. Similarly, by suitable designing, as providing more sets of segments on the drum I651 all of the musical keys could be had with a single switch.

By blowing with the mouth into any of the openings I2 to I6 in front of the switch device II, the flexible projection in this opening will be forced into contact with the bent end of ts registering upper brush or terminal, and this will close a circuit which will produce a musical tone; and by drawing with the mouth on this same hole the fiexible contact will be engaged with the lower terminal and a different tone will be produced. If two or more holes are blown into simultaneously, two or more tones will be produced, and if suction is applied to two or more holes, two or more different tones will be produced simultaneously. If, while blowing into or drawing upon these holes and producing tones, the block 38 is pressed into the frame so as to alter the strength of the current producing the sound, the tone of this sound will be affected accordingly. If the block in worked in and out of the switch device in rapid succession, a quavering or tremolo sound will be produced, and if the block is forced in far enough to break the circuit in rapid interruptions, a vibrato sound will be produced; and as the artist acquires experience and skill, he will find that many other musical effects may be produced with the device.

The circuits of the switch device and its auxiliary control are so arranged that all circuits closed by blowing produce harmonious sounds, and all those closed by suction produce harmonious sounds; in other words, circuits which produce discordant sounds are separated from those which produce concordant sounds, and since it is impossible to blow the draw through the openings of the switch simultaneously, the possibility of producing discords in rendering a musical selection is eliminated.

In rendering a selection, if the air is carried by blowing or drawing in single holes with the tongue working on and off the adjacent holes in timed rhythm in the tempo of the selection being rendered, a harmonious chord effect will be produced. The two lower tones A and G have been added to the octave shown in Figure 9, to provide chord tones for the lower tones of the octave. From the above it will be seen that successive combinations of sounds can be produced which have different starting and ending periods from the initial or melody tone of that particular combination, thus providing an accompaniment for the melody.

The best way to render a musical selection with the device is to hold it between the left thumb and forefinger, with the tube 43 extending down under the left arm to the auxiliary control, and with the right-hand fingers extending over the end to work the block 38 in and out of the switch body I i to produce the desired effect while blowing or drawing through single holes I2, I3, I4, I5 and I6 in the front of the switch. By positioning the lips so as to form an enclosure around the front entrance to the holes I3, I4, I5 and I6, as shown by the dotted line in Figure 17, and positioning the tongue within this enclosure so as to close the front entrance to holes I4, I5 and I6, as shown by the shaded portion of the enclosure, pressure or vacuum may be created within the hole I3, which will cause the movable contact to form electrical connections with contact 29 or contacts 30 to close the corresponding circuit. The position of the lips may be moved endwise so as to uncover hole I6, cover hole l3, and brin the contacts of hole I2 under the control of the pressure or vacuum, and the range of this movement in either direction would be limited only by the number of holes provided in the switch. Since all of the contacts effected by pressure are in circuits that operate sounders that produce, sounds that harmonize with each other and all of the contacts effected by vacuum are in circuits that have sounders that produce also harmonizing sounds, it follows that if the tongue is moved so as to momentarily allow pressure or vacuum to effect the contacts and sounders in holes covered by it, chord effects will be produced in timed rhythm according to the movement of the tongue.

In the alternative sounder illustrated in Figure 11, I28 is a ball hammer carried by a spring arm I29, which has its opposite end in contact with a rigid block I38. The arm I28 is connected to an all.)

armature Iiil, which is pivoted at I32. A sound bar I33 is also fixedly mounted, and the armature i3! carries a deadening pad or damper I34. An insulated coil I33 energizes a magnet I36 when an electric current is admitted to it through its terminal leads IS'I and I38.

The sound bar, pivot, magnet and block are fixed in relation to each other, with the armature, pad and spring normally in the positions shown in this Figure 11, but when the current is admitted to the coil, the armature is quickly drawn toward it so that the hammer strikes the bar and produces the sound, and as soon as the current is interrupted, the armature is quickly returned to its normal position by the spring, and the damper pad I34 comes in contact with the bar, checking its vibration and preventing further sound.

A further alternative sounder is shown in Figure 14, wherein a disc I39 is rotatable on a shaft I40, in the direction of the arrow, to bring teeth I4I, which are spaced around the perimeter of the disc, into contact with an armature sound bar M2, which is pivoted at I43, and held in normal position by a block I44. A coil I45 energizes a magnet M55, when an electric current is admitted to it through its terminals 141 and I48.

The tone of the sound produced by a sounder of the class shown in Figure 14 is determined by the speed of the disc and the number of teeth it carries; for instance, if the speed of the disc shown were 1760 R. P. M., and the number of teeth it carried gave fifteen vibrations on each revolution, we would get the tone of A, at 440 vibrations per second, and if the number of teeth were increased, a higher pitch would be produced, while, if a lesser number of teeth were carried, we would get a lower pitch. Thus, if the shaft I40 carries a number of discs having different numbers of teeth, a full range of sounds will be produced by their respective armature bars.

In this Figure 14, the shaft I40, the pivot I43, the block I44 and the magnet are mounted in fixed relation to each other so as to hold the sound bar normally in the position shown, but on admission of the electric current to the coil, the bar will be drawn in contact with the moving teeth to produce a sound, but when the current is interrupted, the bar will be quickly returned to its normal position by the spring reaction of the bar against the block I44.

By substituting an instrument equipped with a range of sounders of either of the alternative types for one of the octaves of tones shown in Figure 9, we would be able to execute musical selections with the switch shown in Figure 1, on two or more instruments simultaneously.

While the range of musical tones in the described embodiment has been confined to an octave with a few added tones to demonstrate chord and key effects, it must be understood that the invention is intended to extend to the fullest range of musicaltones, and is applicable to many other musical instruments. With large instru- In; the modified gconstructionzshownin Figure;

'15,, the body orirameblock ;l60;is formed of:insu- .,-lating material with several transverse openings gcorrespondingto theopenings' [2,213, I4, I5,.. and ;-.I6 :of the switch device already-described. 'In

thisymodified structure; one of these openings is shown 'at- I-BI as abore extending, from edge ;to

, edge of the body-J60. -A.metallic tube 4'62gisfixed in one end of this bore-in alignment with asecond ,metallic tube I63=fixed in the other @end. ball I64 oil-steel or other magnetic metal is-positioned movablyin the bore I BI in the space between the inner ends of the tubes I62 and I63,-land,.this ball is normally-seated upon a suitably -recessedyiron barI65 set into the body I60 andexposedat'the lower side of the bore I GIN-Either the ballaIM or the bar i B-is permanently magnetized so that ,the ball is normally drawn onto its seatontthe bar. I85; but suction applied-,to'the. outer end of the tube .I62 willdraw the ball into contact with saidtube I62, .and by blowing into the tube I62 theballcan be, shifted into contact with the tube -I 63. Thesetwo tubes correspond tothe terminals ,2! and ZB-shown in Figure 3, ,andwillbe provided with electrical connecting wires (not shown),

such .wires forming a cable. like thatenclosed in the tube l43..and leading toan auxiliary .control device, such as that shown in Figure 9.v Such a cable will beaccommodated in the roundedcover memberlshown at I66. ,Thus, the-device of. Fig- ,ure may be substituted ,fortthat,of"Figure 3 asthe switch" device of ,thexinvention, with the .iron bar I65 connected intojthe circuit by, means not shown in Figure. 15,. butcorrespondinglsub- V stantially to ,the parts 26;"49, ,39.,and"31,off'Figures 3 and 5.

I claim as my invention: 1. An electrical switch forv controlling musical tones whichincludes: a mouthpiece with openings'therein, opposing terminal means of circuits for; controlling diiTerent musical tones positioned ,.in at least two .ofthe openings andrmagnetic ,means responsive to selective action ofthe breath j for controlling the circuits in determined, combinations.

I, 2. An electrical switchfor controlling musical tones which includes: a mouthpiece with openings therein, o posing terminal means of circuits for,controllingdifferent musical tones positioned .in at least two of'the openin s vland magnetic vmeansv responsive to selective action of the breath ,',for ,controlling'the circuits in" determined, com- .binations, the ,circuits andterminalfmeans being I arranged tolimitthe combinations .toharmonizlingtones.

. 3. An electrical switchior controllingmusical stones, which includes:.. a mouthpiece. with openings therein, opposing terminal means oflcircuits for controlling ,differentmusical. tones,.-positioned in. at least .tWo ofnthe, openings. and magnetic means, responsivemto selective ,action ,of,,lthe

- breath, for controlling .the circuits, theclrc-uits ,and. the terminal, means bein iarranged to. limit the controlled tones to, a. musical Y-key.

4 An electrical switch forcontrolling-musical tones which l includes: a mouthpiece. with-open- .ings. therein, opposing terminalv v meansoi circuits lion-controlling,difierent-musical tones, positioned Lin: .at least two of.. the; openings.tandimagnetic means, lresponsive ,tol selective-action cofsthe lbreathrior controllingthe. circuits, Lthe circuits ,,tones,which includesca mouthpiece with openuings therein, likepole terminal means of circuits ion-:controllingdifferentmusical tones, positioned -,in.-at-.least:two of the openings and opposing .comlinonlterminahmeans'for thecircuits, with pro- 1qiectiong:extending adjacent the like pole terminal lsmeansl inthew openings, the projections being yieldable, in response to selective action of the breath, for, operating the circuits in determined combinations.

, '7. An electrical switch'forlcontrolling musical \t9 n.es.- which includes: a mouthpiece with open- ,.-.ings therein and opposing pole terminalmeans of circuits forcontrolling different musical tones, positioned in at least two of the openings, a set ofq-the, pole.;terminal means beingarranged for .-.mov.ement inresponse toselective action --of the reath for.,operati ng the circuits in determined combinations.

8; An. electrical switch for 1 controlling musical gnttonesa-which includes: a mouthpiece with open- =ings,thereinyand opposing pole terminal means lofcircuits 'forcontrolling different musical tones, .-p.ositioned in-.-at leastltwo of the openings, a set --Of-zthe. pole. terminal means being-arranged for 0.;movement inresponse to selective, action of the .-..breath,for operating. thelcircuits in combinations, theucircuitseand terminal means being arranged to: limit a combination to harmonizing: tones.

ll,9. ,An;.electrioal switch for controlling musical is tones which.includes; a mouthpiece with-open- ,ingstherein and opposing pole-terminal means of circuits for controlling different musical tones. npositionedhin at least two of the openings, a set ;.of. vthe tpolel terminal, means. being arranged for .50, movement in,response to'selective. action of the .ebreath-ior operatingthe circuits in determined .combinationsland resistance means for varying lthestrength of the current in the circuits.

-l0. ,An,electrical switch for controlling musical :,tones-which.includes:, a mouthpiece with open- ,in sltherein' and opposing. pole terminal means .of circuits for, controlling different musical tones, positioned in..,at least-two of the openings, a-set gofqthenpole terminal means being arranged for fiollmovomentlin responseto selective action of the breath -for,,operating the circuits in determined .combinationsand finger operative means for in- ..tro,ducing repetitions .of minute, interruptions in kthelclosed'circuits.

y 11.:.An. e1ectrical switch for controlling musical .tones whichincludes; a. mouthpiece with openingstherein.and opposing .pole terminal means of circuits for controlling difierent musical tones, ,positionedeinuat least'two of the openings, a set 70,,of..lthe.p,o1e terminal meanslbeing arranged for -..movement in response to, the combined selective mactionloflthe tongue .and the breath for control- .,.-ling., combinations 5of:.tones,l with musical chord deflects. v

1' 212.2 Anlelectricalzswitch for. controlling, musical tones which includes: a mouthpiece with an opening therein, like pole terminal means of a pair of circuits for controlling different musical tones, positioned within the opening and a common opposing terminal means for the circuits, positioned between the like pole terminal means, the common terminal means being operative in response to selective action of the breath for controlling either of the circuits.

13. An electrical switch for controlling musical tones which includes: a mouthpiece with openings therein, opposing terminal means of circuits for controlling diflerent musical tones, positioned in at least two of the openings and means responsive to selective pressure of the breath for controlling combinations of tones which are in harmony with each other and also responsive to selective suction of the breath for controlling combinations of different tones which are also in harmony with each other.

14. An electrical switch for controlling musical tones which includes: a mouthpiece with 10 openings therein and like pole terminal means of a pair of circuits for controlling different musical tones, positioned in at least two of the openings and a common opposing terminal for each pair of terminals, responsive to selective pressure of the breath to control harmonizing combinations of tones and also responsive to selective suction of the breath to control combinations of difierent harmonizing tones.

ERNEST ROBERT WORKMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following referemces are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,688,450 Corbett Oct. 23, 1928 20 1,956,350 Hammond Apr. 24, 1934 2,301,184 Arnold Nov. 10, 1942 

